Method and apparatus for smoke signaling from aircraft



Jung 6, 1933.

T. S. WILKINSON METHOD AND ARPABATUS FOR SMOKE SIGNALING FROM AIRCRAFT WITNESSES Filed Oct. 17, 1923 l/VVf/V TOR /1600 0"? hinson A TTOR/VEYS June 6, 1933. v s WILKINSON 1,912,392

METHOD AND APPflRATUS FOR SMOKE SIGNALING FROM AIRCRAFT Filed Oct. 17, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A, R M

IN l/EIV TOR WITNESSES- i. Q M meodoream'lh'mon AITTORNEYS atented June 6, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE THEODORE S. WILKINSON, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SMOKE SIGNALING FROM AIRCRAFT Application filed October 17, 1923. Serial No. 668,968.

(GRANTED UNDER THE ACT OF HARGH 3, 1883, AS AMENDED APRIL 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) This invention relates to improvements in method and apparatus for signaling from aircraft and more particularly for producing smoke signals from airplanes although it is, of course, to be understood that without material modification the apparatus may 'i be used for producing smoke clouds for completely enveloping the airplane or other object in air or on the surface of the earth. It may also be used for lighter-than-air craft, such as dirigibles and balloons.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simple and practical apparatus of the above general character particularly adapted for use in producing smoke signals or smoke screens from aircraft.

A further object is to provide an apparatus and the ingredients used therewith having no material eflect upon the coverings for the airplane or gas bag according to the craft with which it is used.

A further object is to provide an improved method of signaling from air craft by means of smoke and it is here to be noted that the term smoke is to be understood as meaning any visible cloud of vaporous material clearly visible at a distance either of actual smoke or a combination of chemicals or elements which when combined produce a clearly visible cloud.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out. I I

Illustrated in the accompanying drawings are shown two of various possible modifications of the apparatus for practising this invention and in these drawings, Figures 1 and 2, respectively, show diagrammatically two of such types.

The apparatus employed may be of any desired type. One satisfactory type is illustrated in Fig. 1 wherein are shown, two cylinders, the numerals 1 and 1 one adapt: ed to be filled with ammonia and the other with a chloride under pressure, having their outlets connected to suitable control valves 2 and 3 actuated from aposition convenient to the operator. By opening the valves, the twochemicals are. combined and sprayed from the aircraft in such a manner that a thus spraying the ingredients into the ex- 7 haust pipe by a nozzle 4a whereby they are heated and ejected to the rear of themachine.

In the latter apparatus it is preferable to use from 20% to of oleum combined with chlorosulphonic acid, or a smoke-produclng metalllc chloride such as stannic chloride or titanium tetrachloride. Any de sired type of ejecting nozzle may be used but greater efiiciency has been obtained when using a small spray gun for introducing the chemicals directly into the exhaust pipe in the form of a very fine spray, to assist vaporization and smoke-production. This spray nozzle is preferably'welded directly into the exhaust manifold and the valve control permits the ingredients to be fed either continuously, thereby to generate a heavy cloud of smoke or, ifpreferred, the valve may be actuated intermittently to produce the desired dot and dash of smoke according to the Morse or other code.

It will thus be seen that a simple and practical apparatus is here devised which may be modified extensively without departing from the scope of the invention according to the particular uses to which the inv vention is applied.

when used to produce a continuous cloud effeet will be of advantage in screenlng aircraft, vessels, fortifications or troops during maneuvers.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Gov ernment of the United States of Amerlca for governmental purposes, without the payment of any royalty thereon.

What I claim is 1. In combination withan aircraft, a container for oleum and chlorosulphonic acid or the like, means for spraying the smoke producing chemicals into the exhaust manifold whereby these chemicals are heated by the exhaust gases and ejected in the from of smoke.

2. In combination with an aircraft, a container for oleum and chlorosulphonic acid, means for spraying the chemicals into the exhaust manifold whereby these chemicals are heated by the exhaust gases and ejected in the form of smoke and means associated with the chemical containers whereby the rate of continuity of flow may be controlled as desired.

3. In a smoke screen apparatus for aeroplanes propelled by internal combustion engines, means for injecting a spray of liquid composition comprising oleum and chlorosulphonic acid into. the exhaust gases of the engines.

4. In a smoke screen apparatus for aeroplanes propelled by internal combination combustion engines, means for injecting a spray of liquid comprising chlorosulphonic acid and a predetermined percentage of oleum into the exhaust gases of the engine.

Signed at Washington, District of Columbia, this 20th day of September 1923.

. T. s. WIL KINSON. 

